Anybody still go to record shows?

We have two record shows here a year - October and March. They are my favourite days
of the annum. I always find goodies I can't get anywhere else. And I get the biggest kick
out of watching what other music fans are buying! Cracks me right up......and I should add
that these shows aren't even advertised any more - word-of-mouth and loyalty brings back
the customers.

LOL hey, is there a thread of "things overheard/said during a record fair?" if not I'd like to start one. Sometimes I've unintentionally eavesdropped and I hear a lot of absurd things or really common over-discussed topics of which I was guilty of when I was a newbie. So I try to put on a bit of patience and a non-judgemental attitude during shows. If I heard that conversation I would be tempted to approach the digger a little later and say something like hey, I overheard you talking about the famous RL...my opinion differs greatly from the dealer and I could share what I know if you like... Common chatter always surfaces around the butcher cover or the RL LED II... I can't think of anymore right now but I know there's a lot.

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Every record show, at least once per show, I hear these! Or, what about when the hosts of the show get on an overhead mic to help would-be shoppers find certain records...? The last 3 shows it’s been, “Attention dealers. We have someone looking for any vinyl copies of Imagine Dragons. I repeat, Imagine Dragons”.

I went to one today. Ironically, it was SO packed with people that I didn't buy anything. EVERY table had a crowd around it for the hour or so that I was there. I wish it was 20 years ago when used rock albums were around $5-$10 apiece instead of $25-$50. Not complaining, I am happy that so many people are back into collecting. There wasn't anything particular I was looking for so I wasn't disappointed.

I went to one today. Ironically, it was SO packed with people that I didn't buy anything. EVERY table had a crowd around it for the hour or so that I was there. I wish it was 20 years ago when used rock albums were around $5-$10 apiece instead of $25-$50. Not complaining, I am happy that so many people are back into collecting. There wasn't anything particular I was looking for so I wasn't disappointed.

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Yea, that's the trouble with 3 big shows we have every year near me. The last time I went I paid an extra $20 as they will let you in an hour early. There were only about 20 people who paid for this. Only worth that if you know what you want before hand and are going to buy. I won't go just to browse anymore, it's too crazy.

put on by the same people that put on every record show here in town. The same old dealers selling the same old records.

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I know OP's post is almost 2 years old but I feel the same way about my local shows. I've gone to a variety, even "different" organizers, and it always ends up being the same 20 or so sellers, with the same product.

Understandably so (local sellers want to be at as many selling spots as they can, of course) but I think that I'm more inclined to wait and try and hit a different one in my travels, to hopefully dig some fresh ground, as it were.

I tend to buy 20 LPs that I have never seen before (and may not see again)

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The next show I plan on going to is on April 27 up in Columbus I believe.
It will be the weekend of my birthday, so it will be a treat for me.
I miss a lot of shows because the just happen to fall on the weekend I work.
I don't pick up stuff I can see at my local shop.

The last two (2) record shows I tried to go to here in DC, people were literally lined up around the block to get in -- and it was almost an hour wait just to get in the door (where I'm sure it was shoulder to shoulder). I waited 30 minutes in line the first time, and gave it. Went a little earlier the second time (but not so early that you had to pay $10 to get in), and the line was even longer, so I bailed right from the git go.

Whoever books this event into the space it's in, is crazy for not picking some place with MORE SPACE.

It wasn't even the time waiting in line that bugged me the most, but the fact that it was a half a mob-scene inside, which I didn't want to have any part in.

We still have a couple shows each year here in Atlanta. I went this past weekend. For the first hour or so I dug through some boxes. Each interesting item was either priced too high or had visible defects to the vinyl. Took a look at a very pretty LZIIRL. Seller asked $250.

As I was resigned to leave empty handed, I stopped at the table in the front I had passed on the way in. From that 1 selller, I picked up 11 great albums for $135. All vintage first or early pressings except one. All NM vinyl.